Behind Trust & Trauma with Amber Banks

In this episode of Behind Beliefs, Behaviors, and the Brain, I sit down with Dr. Amber Banks to explore how trust, trauma, and communication shape our relationships and leadership. Through her work at the Center for Trust and Transformation, Dr. Banks reveals how identity, context, and lived experience influence how we define trust and why it starts with trusting ourselves. We discuss embodied communication, the nervous system, and the power of slowing down and getting curious. Tune in to learn how cultivating awareness and relational safety can transform trust in every area of life. Key Takeaways: Trust Begins Within – Our ability to trust others is limited by how much we trust ourselves. When we override intuition or minimize our own lived experiences, we disconnect from our internal safety signals. Trauma Shapes How We See Safety – Trauma isn’t always one big event; it can form through chronic stress, subtle invalidation, social exclusion, and generational wounds. Racialized Trust Shapes How Safety Is Felt – Historical trauma, discrimination, and unequal power dynamics influence how different racial groups experience trustworthiness and safety. We Can’t Trust Others Without Ourselves – Self-trust is built through listening to intuition, honoring boundaries, and believing our lived experiences. When self-trust is weak, we depend heavily on others to validate our feelings, which creates fragile relationships. Trauma Isn’t Always One Big Event – Many people associate trauma with catastrophic events, but trauma can also develop through repeated microaggressions, dismissal, manipulation, or toxic environments. Environments Either Build or Break Trust – Organizational trust is not built through policies alone; it’s shaped by everyday interactions and cultural norms. People feel safe when they see consistency, fairness, and respect, not just mission statements. Emotional Intelligence Supports Safety – Emotional intelligence helps us read the room, understand our reactions, and support others without dismissing their feelings. Curiosity Opens the Door – Trust expands when we get curious about the beliefs, identities, and contexts that shape how others define safety. Instead of assuming we share the same definitions, curiosity invites alignment, understanding, and more honest communication. Boundaries Protect Connection – Setting boundaries creates a container for safety, not avoidance. When we honor our limits and name what we need, trust becomes more sustainable. Slowing Down Is Necessary, Not Optional – Productivity culture rewards urgency, but urgency burns out the nervous system and damages relationships. Slowing down helps us reflect, recharge, and make thoughtful decisions. Helpful Resources: We Can Regulate the Dose – While we cannot change the past, we can adjust how much new stress we allow in. The Nervous System Is Wired for Connection – Polyvagal theory explains that humans are biologically built for social bonding, but modern environments overload the nervous system with constant stimuli and stress. Naming Sensations Helps Us Respond Wisely – When we understand the difference between stress and danger, we make better choices in conflict. About the Guest Dr. Amber Banks is a social entrepreneur and Founder & CEO of the Center for Trust and Transformation, as well as Trust Compass Studio. With 20+ years of experience across the education, nonprofit, and philanthropic sectors, she partners with organizations to build and repair trust in service of social impact. Through facilitation, coaching, and advising, she supports leaders advancing joy, justice, and liberation, with an approach rooted in understanding how context, identity, and power shape relationships and collaboration. Follow Dr. Amber Banks: Website: https://www.centerfortrustandtransformation.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trustandtransformation/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/center-for-trust-and-transformation/ Follow Dr. Maiysha on Social media Facebook: www.facebook.com/DrMaiysha Instagram: www.instagram.com/DrMaiysha Youtube: www.YouTube.com/DrMaiysha Hosted by: Dr. Maiysha Clairborne Communication is the foundation of everything and everything happens in communication. If you’re ready to take your communication to the next level, our Communication That Transforms course dives deep into creating psychological safety, handling crucial conversations, navigating conflict, and cultivating trust in a way that truly leaves the people in your life feeling seen, heard, respected and valued. It will transform how you lead and how you show up in all of your relationships . Learn more and register at www.mindremappingacademy.com/ticc. If you are a leader and your employees or teams are struggling with team dynamics, consider taking them through our new “Communications That Transforms” group cohort....